NEWS

Jan 31 - Looking forward to 2012 and back

As we sit in mid January enjoying a particularly mild Canadian winter, World Enduro Canada is putting the final dates together for an exciting 2012 competition season.

For those unaware, the WEC Canadian Championship Off-Road series poses many challenges as we work into the regional calendars of partner organizations across the country. We must not only do our best to work with the WEC Ontario Cross Country Championship, but also incorporate the schedule of our premier national series with our partners in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec as well as other competition disciplines.

WEC functions as the off-road racing arm of the MCC. As such we are committed in our agreement to unite with competition bodies across Canada that share the focus of promoting positive advancements in off-road motorcycle racing in the disciplines of Trials, Enduro, and Cross Country. As such we work with racing organizations from coast to coast that agree in safe, legal motorcycle racing with proper insurance and loss control guidelines. Being part of the MCC Competition Council is something WEC has earned as a result of our experience and clear message in this regard. We all know motorcycle racing in Canada is at a very important time of change and the stage has been set for a very positive overhaul in racing across the country.

It has been a busy winter organizing dates with event organizers and we are now less than a month away from releasing some very exciting news for 2012 along with our schedules in various regions. Our partner, World Trials Canada has finalized the Canadian Trials Championship dates and venues. The regional Trials calendars for Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia are just being finished and we are excited to announce a Trials program in Nova Scotia as well.

Going into its 4th season the Royal Distributing Canadian Enduro Championship or CEC is enjoying continued growth and success. Bearing in mind WEC’s reputation of keeping fresh ideas coming, we have decided to expand the scope of the CEC by creating a Canadian Cross Country Championship or CXCC and combine the points from the CEC and CXCC to declare an overall Canadian Off-Road Champion. The title is awarded to the rider who demonstrates the best overall ability to adapt to a variety of challenges in 2 types of competition staged in very different terrain across the country.

It was recently announced that WEC has formed a partnership with the Quebec-based event promoter association, FMSQ in order to realize the CXCC. The Quebec round of the CXCC will take place on September 2 at Ormstown, Quebec (situated south of Montreal near the border of Ontario) with the final round being held in Ontario the following weekend (September 8/9)

The Canadian off-road Championship is designed to be a fair and equitable form of competition that decides the winners based on sportsmanlike racing on a level playing field where the results are truly the results.

Ontario will feature another spectacular Cross Country Championship series at proven venues across the province. We are very proud of this groundbreaking series as it has clearly introduced bold new ideas that never existed before in Ontario off-road racing. The fact that some other race organizations continue to adopt our ideas each year is proof we are improving the sport and giving the riders what they want and we are flattered by this imitation.

By now it is commonly known WEC has been using its flawless electronic timekeeping system which we introduced in 2008 forcing others to follow suit. At this point riders accept nothing other than immediate results at race conclusion and posted immediately on our website.

Who would have thought that having proper competition insurance would be something that would have to be shown as being mandatory? Racing at legal competition facilities that are in compliance by the local municipality is another “no brainer” that WEC has enforced and set the standard.

We are also proud of our many other firsts in off-road racing in Ontario:

- A consistent $100 Pro Holeshot award at every round of the series
- A consistent $100 Amateur Holeshot award at every round of the series
- Paying Pro racers at every round
- A full series of Pee Wee Cross Country Racing
- Pro racer appearance money at certain rounds
- Closed course enduro competition without the requirement of any license plate on the vehicle
- Kids only enduro competition

Some of these changes were difficult to introduce as off-road motorcycling, in certain parts of Canada, has been stagnant for many years and some riders and organizers were very set in their ways and as such, we still have resistance to some of our ideas. Giving Pro payback was something new to off-road and some organizers were steadfast against it. We have fortunately arrived at a point where the concept has finally caught on and we are happy for that.

A day will come when people won’t be racing improperly licensed and incorrectly insured motorcycles on open, public roads. Until this time we will continue to show the way as there are other options

2012 will bring another first in off-road motorcycling soon to be duplicated by others; a kids only Competition Enduro Series! Due to the massive success of our annual “Shelburne Kids Enduro” it has now morphed into a series with accumulating points toward a championship. WEC has always focused heavily on the Mini segment in off-road racing shown from the beginning with our ground breaking Pee Wee Cross Country program. This new Kids Enduro Championship continues to show our dedication to the future of the sport. Watch for more details on dates, venues and class guidelines. With Mini riders racing against a clock, it is a fantastic way to introduce motorcycle competition to these young enthusiasts in a controlled environment.

Stay tuned as we finalize our dates with facility owners. We must all respect that these valuable racing facilities have their own busy schedules and with other racing organizations. 2012 will be another great year for off-road motorcycle racing in Canada!

Have a question or comment? Contact: sean@worldendurocanada.com

Jan 19 - The 2012 Season is upon us!

Time to get your motorcycle ready for another season of racing! We are very close to finalizing all the details for the 2012 Canadian Championship season. We are pleased welcome back many of our previous sponsors and some new ones – this series could not happen with out the strong support of companies like Royal Distributing, Yamaha, KTM, and Honda!!

We look forward to the return of many of the fastest off road racers in Canada. Lots of questions will be answered. Will KTM’s Bobby Prochnau be able to continue his dominance now that he has a full plate of racing in the US? Is this the year KTM’s Geoff Nelson or maybe Husaberg’s Ben Rego unseats him? Will Honda’s Jason Schrage bounce back from his back luck in Quebec last season to regain the #1 plate he held last season?? Is this the year that Yamaha’s Brian Wojnarowski moves to the top of the podium? Which riders will move up from the amateur ranks to the Pro level?

The series will begin at an all new location in Vernon, BC on July 7 & 8 hosted by the Vernon Off Road Motorcycle Club. Pre-registration is already open!

After BC the series moves to scenic Blairmore, AB on July 14 & 15th. Clint’s Full Gas crew is planning some great new mountain trails to entertain and challenge everyone! The event will be taking place on the same weekend as the Thunder in the valley fireworks show so hotel space is very limited. I happen to know that as of today there are a few rooms at the Coleman & Blairmore Best Canadian Motor Inn so if your planning to attend and need a room CALL RIGHT away as the next closest hotel is 40 minutes away in Pincher Creek. Coleman 403-563-5600 Blairmore 403-562-8851.

The series moves to the east in September. Big news for 2012 is our partnership with the FMSQ who will be hosting the Quebec round at a new location! We are working with the FMSQ and our Ontario crew to finalize the best dates and locations which will be announced in February.

Please keep an eye on this for more details – we will be updating it regularly in the next few months with both our National and regional event news.

Jan 16 - WEC mourns the passing of Mika Ahola

Five time World Enduro Champion Mika Ahola passed away yesterday from a surgery complication. He had just announced his retirement a few weeks earlier and was looking forward to the next chapter in his life. We had the pleasure to meet Mika and spend a bit of time with him and his lovely wife when they came to North America in 2006 & 2007 for the first ever Canadian & US rounds of the Enduro World Championship. Mika was a true professional and will be sadly missed.

Sept 22 - Canadian Champions Crowned

The fastest 3 off road riders in Canada were crowned this past weekend. KTM's Bobby Prochnau first, Geoff Nelon second and Honda's Jason Schrage third. For a full rundown of all the class Champions visit out results page.

Sept 19 - Motopark hosts a terrific finale to a great season!

Beautiful weather and a well prepped course made for an epic enduro this past weekend at historic Motopark in Chatsworth. The excitment built all weekend towards the final Pro & A rider full gate, bar to bar MX test. Ontario's Josh Long (KTM) won the final moto against the fastest in the country. On Sunday evening the Eastern Canadian Enduro Champions and the overall Canadian Champions were crowned. Western riders swept the championships including Overall Top Pro - KTM's Bobby Prochnau. Full results on our results page. Congradulations to all our champions and to all the riders from across the country who competed this year! For photos and further info visit Offroadmotorcycles.ca

ENDURO NEWS SPONSORED BY KTM

July 19 - Rounds 3 & 4 a huge hit with riders and fans

Organizer Clint Riviere and his dedicated crew of volunteers put on a fantastic event that tested the riders like never before. The scenery in Blairmore is epic and really add to the appeal of this round. The general consensus from riders was the special tests were among the best ever. KTM's Bobby Prochnau once again won the Overall for the weekend as well as both days in E2 - his teammate Geoff Nelson swept the E3 Podium and Husqvarna's Phillipe Chaine won both days of E1. In addition to the fans who attended the event our Internet Media partners reported record numbers of hits on their sites with huge numbers from foreign countries showing the world is interested in what is happening in Canada! For photos and race news check out Offroadmotorcycles.ca and DMX. For full results go to our results page.

July 10 - Rounds 1 & 2 are in the books

Riders and spectators enjoyed spectacular BC scenery and a great course. The 183 entries set a new record for the series. Please checkout the photos at Offroadmotorcycles.ca. The WEC crew is now on our way to Blairmore, AB for rounds 3 & 4 next weekend - Clint Riviere and his crew have a new course set up and with over 30,000 people in town for the Saturday night Fireworks show there will be record levels of spectators. See you there!

Apr 27 - Yamaha's "Yamabucks for You" Program returns

Yamaha Canada is excited to announce the "Yamabucks for You" campaign is back. They want to reward Yamaha owners who love to take their motorcycle to the track. This year they have once again included the Canadian Enduro Championship in the program. At each of the 4 events they will be paying for the top 3 finishing Yamaha's in each Amateur Class. At the conclusion of the 2nd day of racing the combined results from both days will be calculated and the first overall Yamaha rider receives $75.00, second $50, and third $25. The great thing about this program is you have a chance to win something even if you don't finish on the podium! For a complete list of other events and track days in this program please check out their site.

Apr 21 - Competition Off Road Equipment to sponsor Ontario event

CORE has partnered with WEC to be the Presenting Sponsor of the Ontario CEC event. They are a new online retailer of quality motorcycle parts and accesories. They specialize in some unique brands that are not available in most stores. Check them out!

Feb 21 - Royal Distributing returning as Title sponsor of Canadian Enduro Championship

Royal Distributing - Canada's Powersports Leader - is once again getting behing the Canadian Enduro Championship. Royal's participation has been a key part of the series since it began in 2009. WEC will once again utilize the Royal race truck to transport motorcycles across the country providing racers with a cost effective way to compete. In addition there will be thousands of Royal dollars and prizes up for grabs at all 8 rounds.

Feb 12 - Cornergrass Racing Team now the Official Canadian Husaberg Factory Team

Big news from the CGRT and Husaberg. For 2011 the CGRT will be the Official Canadian Factory Husaberg Off Road Racing team. For further details check out the story on Offroadmotorcycles.ca

Feb 1 - Victoria Hett signs with Gas Gas

GasGas Pacific is excited to announce the signing of Victoria Hett to a two-year deal to race the Canadian Enduro Championships, PNWMA Off-Road Series , Okanagan Hare Scrambles Series, Xtinction Hard Enduro and select other events.  Hett will be competing aboard a 2011 GasGas EC250 with additional support from Gamma Sales, Scorpion Racing, Rekluse, Fasst Company, A Vicious Cycle, Gnarly Parts & Accessories, Inside Motocross & Offroad Magazine, Valley Moto Sport, Adrenaline Distribution, Advanced Pave Tech and Steve Shannon Photography.

News Archive